Contraceptive Bill Defeated

The National Coalition's Importation, Sale and Manufacture of Contraceptive Bill is defeated in a vote in Dáil Éireann. The Taoiseach, Liam Cosgrave, is one of seven Fine Gael TDs who voted against their own bill. The passing of the bill would have meant controlled access to contraceptives for the people of Ireland. But this was denied.

The Taoiseach, Liam Cosgrave, led six Fine Gael deputies into the opposition lobby in the Dáil to defeat the Government's Contraceptives Bill. The final vote was 75 votes to 61 defeating the Bill.

The Taoiseach's actions shocked many of his fellow party members and placed considerable stress on the Fine Gael and Labour coalition government.

In this report Senator Brian Lenihan talks to RTÉ News about the results of the vote.